Send a Tip

By WACN 21 Staff
Listen to this article
2 min

We want to hear from you. If you have information that should be in the public record, several options for sending it to us:

Most secure: SecureDrop

Our SecureDrop instance is hosted on the Tor anonymity network. Files you submit are encrypted and accessible only to our investigations team.

  • URL: tips.wacn21.onion — only accessible via the Tor Browser, which you can download at torproject.org.
  • What to expect: Submissions are reviewed by a small team of journalists. We may reach out to you for follow-up via SecureDrop if you include a code name.

Encrypted messaging: Signal

Signal is end-to-end encrypted and works well for tips that include documents or photos.

  • Number: +1 (404) 555-2121
  • Tip: Set “disappearing messages” to a short interval for sensitive content.
  • Signal username: @wacn21.42

Email

If neither of the above works for you, encrypted or not, email works:

  • Address: tips@wacn21.com
  • We recommend ProtonMail or another encrypted email provider if you want additional privacy.

Phone

For breaking news or situations where you need to talk to a person:

  • Newsroom: (404) 555-2100
  • After-hours breaking news line: (404) 555-2199

What we’ll do

  • We treat all tips as confidential. We will not share your identity with anyone outside the newsroom without your permission.
  • We will never reveal a source who has asked to remain anonymous, including in response to a subpoena or court order, except in the rare cases where the law leaves us no choice.
  • We will tell you if we can’t pursue your tip, so you can take it elsewhere.

What we won’t do

  • We won’t pay for tips. We pay for stories once we’ve published them — never for information up front.
  • We won’t publish your name without your permission.
  • We won’t share information you send us with any third party.

Be safe

  • If your tip involves a sensitive workplace or government situation, consider using a personal device and network, not a work-issued one.
  • If you have documents, photographs, or other files, the most secure way to share them is via SecureDrop.
  • If you’re in immediate danger, call 911 first. We can publish the story later.